Chapter 1641: A Miracle II

Everyone watched with bated breath, as if a miracle were unfolding before their eyes.

No... It was something even more astonishing than a miracle.

The mysterious man hadn’t simply cleansed the poison that had plagued the land. Wherever his emerald light passed, the earth itself seemed to awaken. Withered trees stood tall once more, fresh leaves sprouted from lifeless branches, flowers bloomed where once only gray dust had been, and the air, once heavy with the stench of decay, was now replaced by the fresh scent of life.

It was as if he had brought the dying land back to life.

"T-This..."

The Minister of the Environment stood rooted to the spot, utterly stunned. His jaw dropped as she stared at the transformed highway, unable to believe what he was witnessing. She had expected the poison to be cleaned up—but this... this was far beyond anything she had ever imagined.

And he wasn’t the only one.

Even the Minister of Defense, a man renowned for his calm and unwavering discipline, couldn’t hide the amazement on his face. President Zhang’s eyes trembled. Joy, disbelief, and immense relief enveloped him all at once.

With this power... Xiya could be saved. Finally, the tainted land of Xiya could be restored.

His people would no longer have to live beneath the constant shadow of fear and uncertainty, wondering how it would all end. For the first time in months, President Zhang was certain. His country would be safe from the suffocating grip of the S.A.I.N.T. Organization and Luxembourg.

The burden that had weighed upon his shoulders day and night finally began to lift. A long, weary breath escaped his lips. After months of carrying the fate of an entire nation on his back, President Zhang finally allowed himself a moment of relief.

Beside him, Leon was equally stunned. However, having spent so much time around the Lucient family and witnessed the countless miracles they routinely produced, he recovered far more quickly than everyone else.

Besides, he had already witnessed Zhao Li Xin’s monstrous power. Therefore, this wasn’t all that surprising. Zhao Li Xin, Jade... how could anyone associated with the Lucient family possibly be normal? He thought inwardly.

"Well," Leon remarked with a casual shrug, "it looks pretty good now."

Zhao Li Xin lifted his eyes toward the restored boulevard with the same cool, calm expression, as though everything that had just happened was nothing out of the ordinary.

"Is it done?" Zhao Li Xin said. Whether it was a question or simply a confirmation was hard to tell.

But Jade understood. He gave a small but firm nod. "It’s done."

A faint smile flickered in Zhao Li Xin’s eyes. He gently patted Jade’s back before turning away, clasping his hands behind him as he strode forward without another word.

The gesture lasted only a brief moment, yet it was enough to make Jade’s cheeks flush crimson beneath his mask.

He knew his Zhao Papa had praised him. That simple pat on the back meant more than a thousand compliments ever could because someone like Zhao Li Xin was not easily impressed or satisfied. Receiving his praise was no easy feat—unless, of course, you were Lory.

An indescribable warmth spread through his heart, and despite everything that had happened, he found himself wanting to smile.

Zhao Li Xin stopped before President Zhang. His posture remained relaxed, and his voice was flat and concise.

"Anywhere else?"

The purification was expected to take three full days to complete, and today was only the first day, so they had no other choice but to stay at Xiya Country for the next few days.

The delay was not due to a lack of ability on Jade’s part. On the contrary, his purification technique was so powerful that it restored everything in its path almost instantly.

However, each wave of cleansing consumed an immense amount of spiritual energy. Jade could not remain in the human world for extended periods. Once his spiritual power was exhausted, he had to return to the Mystique Realm, where the spiritual energy was dense and pure, to recover before continuing the purification.

For that reason, the restoration of Xiya would proceed over the next three days.

To express his gratitude, President Zhang Yu Wei arranged accommodations for Zhao Li Xin and Leon at the State Palace, where he and his family resided.

The following morning, a gentle knock echoed outside Zhao Li Xin’s room.

"Come in." The familiar cold voice came from inside.

Leon pushed open the door and stepped into the room.

His eyes immediately landed on Zhao Li Xin, who was sitting cross-legged in the lotus position atop the bed with his eyes closed.

Bathed in the soft morning light streaming through the window, he truly looked like an immortal cultivating in seclusion.

If Lory had heard what Leon was thinking, she would say: ’Because he is!’ ℴ

"You’re not sleeping?" Leon asked.

Zhao Li Xin slowly opened his eyes and looked at him calmly. "I just woke up." he didn’t explain that he had actually awakened hours earlier.

Leon’s gaze lingered on the bed. The pristine white sheets were perfectly smooth, untouched by even the slightest crease, as if no one had rested there throughout the night. Yet he wisely kept his curiosity to himself.

His eyes then returned to Zhao Li Xin. The man’s expression remained tranquil, like the surface of a frozen winter lake—beautiful, serene, and impossibly cold.

"Have you showered? The President is inviting us to breakfast," Leon asked, though he already knew the answer.

Judging by Zhao Li Xin’s immaculate appearance and neatly arranged clothes, there was no way he had just woken up.

"I have." Zhao Li Xin stood up from the bed before asking in a lazy, almost annoyed tone, "But do I really have to attend?"

As a naturally reclusive person, he preferred avoiding social gatherings whenever possible, much like a student trying to avoid the principal’s office.

Leon chuckled knowingly. "Unfortunately, it’s part of the job, sir," he replied. "Xiya is Harland’s ally. President Zhang has shown us nothing but respect, so we should at least return the courtesy. If not for diplomacy, then for His Majesty’s sake... and Princess Lorient’s reputation as well."

The moment Lory’s name was mentioned, the coldness in Zhao Li Xin’s expression softened ever so slightly. He let out a quiet sigh.

"...Alright." He walked over to a nearby chair, picked up his long black cardigan, and slipped it on over his already black clothes.

Leon got curious suddenly, "You really like wearing black, don’t you?"

"Not particularly." Zhao Li Xin calmly adjusted his sleeves before continuing, "It’s simply more effective at hiding stains."

"Stains?" Leon asked, confused. "Like... food stains?"

Only then did Zhao Li Xin turn his head, his icy gaze meeting Leon’s. "Bloodstains."

He answered so matter-of-factly that it sounded as though he were discussing the weather.

"...Oh." Leon paused for a moment. Then he scratched the back of his head before quickly changing the subject, "Where’s Jade?"

"Resting in my ring." Zhao Li Xin walked toward the door. "I’ll call him when we’re leaving."

"As you wish, sir." Leon stepped aside and courteously opened the door for him.

Zhao Li Xin walked past without the slightest hesitation, as though it were the most natural thing in the world for one of Harland’s greatest generals to hold the door open for him.

Leon watched his retreating figure, and a faint yet profound smile slowly curved across his lips.

He truly liked this man. There was an innate nobility in Zhao Li Xin that perfectly befitted someone destined to stand beside a member of the House of Lucient.

It was neither ostentatious nor overbearing, yet its presence was unmistakable. He carried himself with quiet grace and unwavering composure, earning respect without ever demanding it.

There was something extraordinary about Zhao Li Xin’s presence.

It was the same commanding aura that surrounded King Lucas and Her Highness Princess Lorient, not born from status or authority, but from the person themselves. It was an invisible charisma that naturally drew the eyes of everyone around them.

It was almost amusing. Zhao Li Xin had never sought fame or attention. If given the choice, he would gladly disappear into the background, keeping his distance from politics and the curious eyes of the world.

Yet men like him were simply impossible to overlook. Even if he stood silently among a thousand people, he would never become part of the background. Sooner or later, every gaze would inevitably find its way to him.

Leon had no doubt that one day, Zhao Li Xin would carve out a legend of his own in this world. A name that would stand proudly alongside the Lucient.

"You’ve made quite the catch, Princess," Leon said with a quiet chuckle.

___________________________________

A moment later, they arrived at the palace dining room, where the President and his family had already arrived. By the time Leon and Zhao Li Xin entered, the main dining room was already alive with quiet conversation.

The dining room was spacious yet elegant. A long mahogany table stood at the center, neatly set with polished silverware and a vase of fresh white lilies. Crystal chandeliers hung overhead, casting a soft glow across the room.

Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the room with warm golden light. The inviting aroma of freshly brewed tea and a hearty breakfast lingered pleasantly in the air.

The moment the two guests entered, the President rose from his seat with a welcoming smile.

"Good morning, Mr. Leon, Mr. Zhao."

"Good morning, Mr. President," Leon replied with practiced courtesy, extending his hand.

The two men exchanged a firm handshake before engaging in a few polite pleasantries.

"I hope the accommodations were satisfactory," Zhang Yu Wei said warmly. "We did our best on such short notice."

"They were more than satisfactory," Leon answered with a smile. "Your hospitality has exceeded our expectations. We truly appreciate your generosity."

"You flatter us." Zhang Yu Wei’s smile broadened, his good mood evident.

After exchanging another round of courteous remarks, Zhang Yu Wei shifted his attention toward the quiet young man standing beside Leon.

"And what about you, Mr. Zhao?" he asked. "Did you rest well?"

Zhao Li Xin met the President’s gaze calmly. "It was good."

A short, formal reply, nothing more.

He neither elaborated nor attempted to continue the conversation.

Fortunately, Zhang Yu Wei had already expected such a response after spending the previous day with him.

Rather than finding it rude, he simply smiled in understanding, "That’s good to hear."

As everyone took their seats, another pair of eyes quietly settled upon Zhao Li Xin.

Zhang Yu Wei’s eldest daughter had been stealing glances at him ever since he entered the dining room. Yesterday, she had only caught a fleeting glimpse of him from afar, but seeing him now in the morning light was an entirely different experience.

He was... so beautiful.

No—

Handsome hardly seemed sufficient to describe him.

His features were so flawlessly sculpted that they appeared almost unreal, as though Heaven itself had carved every delicate line with painstaking care. His jet-black hair framed an elegant face, while his calm, obsidian eyes carried an icy detachment that made him seem distant from the mortal world.

His every movement was refined without being deliberate. Simply sitting there, dressed in plain black attire, he somehow eclipsed everyone else in the room. The young woman found herself unconsciously glancing at him again... and again.

Yet Zhao Li Xin remained completely oblivious. Or perhaps he simply didn’t care. Without a trace of curiosity, he lifted the porcelain teacup to his lips and took a slow sip. His expression remained cool and placid as ever.

The lively atmosphere around the dining table seemed entirely disconnected from him, as though he were merely waiting for breakfast to end so he could return to more meaningful matters.

Not once did his gaze wander toward President Zhang’s daughter.

Not once did he acknowledge her repeated glances. To Zhao Li Xin, she was no different from anyone else in the room—or perhaps even the furniture.

There was only one woman whose presence could ever draw his attention, and she wasn’t here.

He stared at the surface of the tea and sighed heavily, ’I miss my wife.’